Hi -
I was wondering if anyone else out there was is as disturbed as I am about
the conditions under which the materials we all use are mined? I just read
an article about Tanzanite mines in Africa where 150 people died in an
accidental flood. What got me was the fact that the article was headlined
with a concern for the availability of the stones! Is there any way to
purchase stones at a reasonable price, of good quality, and with aclear
conscience (i.e.: not from DeBeers) ? Any thoughts?
Thanks- Jenn

I agree with Jenn, it is terrible that the availability of Tanzanite is
even remotely considered important compared to the terrible loss of our
fellow human beings! I am getting sick of the whole Tanzanite hype, but
considering where all these stones are mined, would we expect any more! A
excellent point Jenn! It is a reality check we should all think about!
Sincerely chris http://www.tace.com/glitters

This is not the profession to be in if you are environmentally minded and
want to “walk softly” on the Earth. You can choose your stone dealers
carefully, some try to buy from the lowest impact miners, but you never
really know the stones path from the mine to you. You can always boycott
the particular stone, for example Tanzanite, but this puts a crimp in the
bottom line of the business. You can try to offset the “politically
incorrectness” of what the jewelry industry does by volunteering to do
some environmentally friendly things. Pick up trash at a wilderness park
or at the beach. Volunteer at a recycling center or at a school. Quit
being a jeweler and go back to school to learn more about the envirnment
in order to make the earth a better place.

Hi! just a word on that artical your talking about and being politically
correct about it. If you really think about it then you should also take
onto concideration opal mining in Austraila, as one example. Even gold
mining right here in the USofA is VERY dangerous to somebody. But if you
really think about it as far as being, " Politically Correct ", then think
about how your steak and chicken at your local market is “brought” to you!
Almost everything we get one way or the other is at someone elses risk or
labor, not that I don’t think that 150 human lives are worth putting money
in someones elses pocket , but if your going to be politically correct or
worry about ( being ) P.C. then back up a few steps and take a look at the
much bigger picture. Please! Matt W.

I agree with you 100%! But then, have you considered where (and under
what conditions) most of the smaller colored stones were cut? Purchased
any action figures, plush toys or Barbie items (most any Kenner toy) for
your children lately? Looked on the tag of the article of clothing you
recently purchased and read as to where it was manufactured? It’s a
different world than the one that existed just 20 years ago. Most of the
things we purchase every day without thinking of it are manufactured in
third-world countries where there are NO labor/safety laws and children as
well as adults work long & hard for little money. It is now to the point
that you can hardly function normally in our society without purchasing
these goods.

Hi! just a word on that artical your talking about and being politically
correct about it. If you really think about it then you should also take
onto concideration opal mining in Austraila, as one example. Even gold
mining right here in the USofA is VERY dangerous to somebody. But if you
really think about it as far as being, " Politically Correct ", then think
about how your steak and chicken at your local market is “brought” to you!
Almost everything we get one way or the other is at someone elses risk or
labor, not that I don’t think that 150 human lives are worth putting money
in someones elses pocket , but if your going to be politically correct or
worry about ( being ) P.C. then back up a few steps and take a look at the
much bigger picture. Please! Matt W.

Steve is absolutely correct! There is no easy answer to this situation
unless you only buy US or other countries where we feel confident that the
product was not made by some poor persons missfortune or child slave labor
etc. for lack of a better words! I guess it really hits home when a group
of people lose their life in pursuit of a gemstone. Sincerely Chrishttp://www.tace.com/glitters